Muda leaders want private universities to lower student fees

 

The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has called on private higher education institutions (IPTS) to reduce their fees for local students.

This came after Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad announced a 20 percent fee reduction for all Malaysian students at public universities for the first semester of the 2021/2022 academic session, which will benefit 555,340 students through an initiative worth RM175 million.

"A 20 percent reduction for public university students is a good effort. 

"However, we would like to suggest that a similar initiative be arranged with private universities so that appropriate fees can be adapted," Muda policy director Teo Lee Ken and the party's Sungai Buloh division leader Farah Mahmud said in a statement yesterday.

The move could reduce the economic and psychological burden of the students, the duo said.

"If the students have paid the fees, then repayment and reimbursement should be considered," Teo and Farah added.

Muda policy director Teo Lee Ken

Higher education institutions (IPT) will reopen in stages starting Oct 15 and only students, academic staff and non-academic staff fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are allowed to enter campuses, Noraini announced yesterday.

The government expects IPT staff and students registered with MySejahtera to be fully vaccinated by the end of October. As of now, only 66 percent of students are fully vaccinated.

Noraini said students in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan should also take the RT-PCR test before returning to their campuses.

Teo and Farah welcomed the announcement of the reopening of the IPT as these have been closed for a long time.

However, they suggested that the government expedites the vaccination process for students.

"The universities can be used as vaccination sites for those who return (to the IPT). This will facilitate and expedite vaccination," they said.

The duo also urged the ministry to ensure that all students have adequate accommodation in the event of unexpected changes.

"This is to ensure that the students are not burdened with financial issues and (find themselves with) no place to stay," Teo and Farah added. - Mkini